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Friday, January 29, 2016

Guided Hike & Bike@ Oscar Scherer State Park

There is no cost to participate in either portion other than normal park entrance fees for day-use visitors

($2.00 for pedestrians/bicyclists entering the park from the Legacy Trail; cost for vehicles varies based on occupancy.)

More Information:Ranger Station 941-483-5956

Located in the Southwest region at:

Oscar Scherer State Park

1843 South Tamiami Trail

Osprey, FL 34229

This two-part program is conducted by a Ranger or Volunteer. Hike time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00a.m. Bike time: 10:30 a.m. to noon. The guide will take you on an informative walk along one of the six trails in the park. If you’re interested in taking your journey a step further, stay for the second portion of the program which includes a leisurely bike ride along the Green Trail and a portion of the Legacy Trail. The bike ride is about 12 miles round-trip. Participants must provide their own bikes; road and trail bikes are ok. Children under 16 years of age must wear a helmet while bicycling. Both portions of the program begin at the Nature Center. Remember to bring plenty of drinking water.

School Days at Fort Foster@ Fort Foster State Historic Site

Student admission for this special event is a $2 donation to Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society per student. There is no charge for teachers and chaperones.

More Information:Ranger Station: (813) 987-6771

Located in the Southwest region at:

Fort Foster State Historic Site

15402 U.S. 301 N.

Thonotosassa, FL 33592

This “Back in Time” living history program will feature the military, Seminoles and civilians along with a variety of craft demonstrations. A special time for students to enjoy a first person history lesson, take a ranger-led tour of a Florida frontiers fort, and interact with period-dress, Seminole natives. An opportunity to purchase period merchandise & refreshments is available to your students.

Explore some of the prime birding areas of Lovers Key State Park with a park ranger. Learn how to identify the birds you see and where to go in the park for great birding. A limited number of binoculars will be provided. Due to limited space, reservations are required.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is proud to offer the following Interpretive Ranger-guided walks and programs each Friday and Saturday of the month. Please see the walks and programs explanations and their regularly-scheduled rotations. Park entry fees apply $2 per pedestrian, $4 single person in a vehicle, $6 two or more persons in a vehicle. Guided walks are Free. Donations are appreciated and will be given directly to the Friends of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a 501c3 Citizen’s Support Organization:

Every Friday & SaturdayLive Animal Presentation | 1:00pmA Live Animal Presentation will be held in front of the Terramar Visitors Center – Park Rangers will offer a Live Animal Presentation with our park’s very own resident critters, including the highly Threatened Eastern Indigo Snake, a variation of Florida Rat Snakes as well as variations between Florida-native Corn Snakes. Occasionally the presentation will include native turtle species as well. Rangers will explain the intrinsic value of these wonderful creatures, describe their preferred habits and behaviors and habitats, and allow for direct interaction with guests.

First Friday of each month:Mangrove Habitat Walk | 10:30amThis 1.5 mile walk will commence at the Ranger Station (front entrance) of the park and guide guests past the famous Gopher Tortoise habitat, through Pavilion 1 & 2 area and into the park’s extensive mangrove habitat. Guests will receive a historical overview of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and an introduction to Mangrove habitats as well as the primary species of plants and animals that populate the area. The walk will conclude along the Intracoastal waterway and wrap back around toward the park’s main entrance. The walk will take approximately 1.5 hours. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for the outdoors. Please bring water and any other protective gear dependent upon the season.

Second Friday of each month:Mid-Trail Walk | 10:30amThis 2 mile walk will commence at the Ranger Station (front entrance) of the park and guide guests past the famous Gopher Tortoise habitat. The trail walk will commence approximately half a mile up the main loop drive along what used to be called the “Exotic Trail.” Here, Mr. Birch had planted an assortment of exotic plants including Mango, Citrus, Almond and more. The Mid Trail now features an assortment of Native and non-Native plants. Guests will receive a broad historical overview of the park and hear about the importance of balanced ecosystems in South Florida. A large bee hive is featured along this trail for everyone’s education. Please be advised. The walk will eventually emerge at the north end of the park where guests can take a leisurely walk back to the south end.

Third Friday of each month:Coastal Dune/Residual Slough and Historical Homes Lake Walk | 10:30amThis 1 mile walk will commence at the Ranger Station (front entrance) of the park and guide guests past the famous Gopher Tortoise habitat. The walk will take guests past one of the park’s unique fresh-water ecosystems, the Coastal Dune Lake, and give guests explanations about the formation and evolution of Barrier Island systems. The walk will also incorporate a broad historical overview of the Terramar Estate (Mr. Birch’s home, exterior only) and the Caretaker’s Home, which were commissioned by Mr. Birch in 1940. The walk will continue outside of the Beach Gate entrance and touch on the Endangered Beach habitat that outlines the park’s eastern boundary, touch on protected plant and animal species such as sea oats and sea turtles.

Fourth Friday of each month:Beach Hammock Trail & Sensitive Habitats Walk | 10:30amThis 1 mile walk will commence at the Ranger Station and take guests into one of the last residual Tropical Hardwood Hammock (Maritime Forest) habitats in Broward County. Guests will be explained the unique features that constitute our sub-tropical wooded areas as well as our small, residual Coastal Dune Lake systems. Guests will be given an introduction to the primary plant and animal species that populate these areas. A general overview of the original inhabitants to this part of Florida will be offered as well as historical relations between the first settlers. In addition, guests will be shown the highly endangered Beach Jacquemontia sensitive habitat area and be given an explanation of preservation efforts that are underway.

Fifth Friday of each month (for those months with a fifth Friday):Beach/Dune Habitat and Coastal Walk | 10:30amThis near-1 mile walk will commence at the Beach Entrance to the park. Guests will be lead around the beach entrance sensitive habitat areas, demonstrating the residual dune plants still residing on the property opposite A1A. Guests will be lead through the underpass tunnel or across the cross walk (once finalized) to the beach. Here guests will explained the unique features, flora and fauna, that constitute the primary dune on the beach. The tour will leisurely browse the coastline, discussing tidal influences on barrier islands, coastlines and explore the vast variety of species populating the areas between the land and the sea.

Mid Trail Audio Tour – Available at all times.This 2 mile walk can be taken through your own cell phone without a Ranger guiding you! The trail walk will commence approximately half a mile up the main loop drive. The Mid Trail Audio Tour covers a broad overview of the history of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, offers an introduction to its ecosystems and also points out particulars along the path. A large bee hive is featured along this trail for everyone’s education. Please be advised. The walk will eventually emerge at the north end of the park where guests can either take the Intracoastal waterway back toward the front of the park, or take the main loop drive’s east side road back to the front of the park. The Audio Tour is free, but donations are welcome. Please inquire at the Ranger Station about this easy-to-use program.

Additional Information:

Our ranger guided walks range from less than a mile to over two miles. Please read the descriptions carefully. Reusable water bottles are recommended for each tour. Bug spray may be needed.

This family-friendly winter program is sure to entertain. Each week features a different theme. Campers can vote for the movie of their choice at the Nature Center, where the movie viewing will take place. Refreshments are provided and campers are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages and favorite movie theater snacks.

Paradise Park was a segregated Florida attraction opened in 1949 by the owners of Silver Springs, the state’s oldest attraction, and operated by an African-American staff until 1969.

In conjunction with the Appleton Museum of Art's exhibit, Silver Springs State Park will host a selection of photographs from Paradise Park in the Education Center. The Education Center is open every day from 8:00 a.m. until sundown.

Also in the Education Center, current Silver Springs and former Paradise Park boat captain David Faison will walk visitors down memory lane every Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. sharing stories from his 58 years of service and taking questions.

Additional Information:

To get to this exhibit at Silver Springs State Park, enter the park through the main entrance located at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40).

Paradise Park Remembered was organized by the Appleton Museum of Art and Lu Vickers on behalf of the late Bruce Mozert, in partnership with Silver Springs State Park, Friends of Silver Springs and Marion County Black Archives. The exhibition at the Appleton Museum features approximately 100 photographs taken by Mozert, former Silver Springs staff photographer, as well as snapshots from private collections and Marion County Black Archives.

For more information about the main exhibit, or the Appleton Museum of Art, visit their website.